Divorce During the Holidays: How to Deal with Getting A Divorce During the Holiday Season

Are You Going through a Divorce during the Holidays?

There’s never a good time of year to get a divorce, but the extended winter holiday season seems particularly tough on many. If you’re navigating the holidays alone, here are a few suggestions to help you get through it:

How to Deal with Getting a Divorce During the Holidays

Seek Effective Support

A support system can be anyone from a sister to a friend to a licensed therapist or a combination of all of the above. Know that while your family and friends may make you feel better, they are often going through a loss of their own as they watch you deal with your emotional distress.

Sometimes an objective third party is the best option for support. That person doesn’t know you or your ex, so counseling you on options and tips to help you process the loss will not be emotionally charged, as is sometimes the case with close friends and family. Regardless of whomever you feel most comfortable with, turn to someone for emotional support during the holidays. You’ll feel less alone.

Give Yourself Permission to Skip Events

While you don’t want to stay in your house all holiday season, know that there may be some events that are too emotionally charged to attend. Don’t force yourself. Give yourself permission to heal.

Mourn the Loss

Divorceis a loss, even when both parties want it. Give yourself ample time to process the feelings behind how you once were part of a couple and now no longer are. This is particularly difficult during the holidays. Don’t try and power through the emotions. Recognize them for what they are and let time take care of the rest.

Find Things that Bring You Joy

Just as certain holiday events can seem like emotional landmines, you’ll find that there are still things that bring you joy. Surround yourself with them and the people who bring you joy. Pamper yourself and indulge in what makes you happy.

Keep Your Budget in Mind

An easy way to think you’re bringing yourself joy is to go out and spend a lot of money. Throwing away your budget will only bring you grief when the bills come. Stay on track and you’ll have less worries.

Make New Traditions

You probably had a few holiday traditions with your spouse, and the thought of them is difficult to revisit. Think of it as a fresh new start, and create some new traditions.

Volunteer

It’s hard to feel sad when you’re doing for others. Find a cause that’s important to you and help with it. You’ll feel accomplished and happy you could help, plus the good you do will be appreciated and returned by others.

Focus on Your New Life

While divorce and the changes surrounding it can be disconcerting, it’s also an opportunity to create a new life. You no longer have to compromise with someone else. You can spend time imagining who you want to be and how you’ll get there. Create some practical resolutions on how you can meet your goals in the upcoming year.

Divorce during the holidays is especially hard, but the one thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is your representation. Clearwater divorce attorney Dean Tsourakisis here to help you navigate the difficult times of divorce. He can help ensure your desires are brought to the table and that the process is as smooth as possible. The initial consultation is free.